Juniperus Horizonalis cv. Monber

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct selection of Ground Juniper shrub which shall be referred to hereinafter as Juniperus horizontalis cultivar Monber. Juniperus horizontalis cultivar Monber differs distinctively from other Juniperus horizontalis plants by its unique combination of a brilliant silvery blue color and the ability to retain a dense crown that does not open and become bare with age.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This invention relates to a new and distinct selection of Juniperushorizontalis a member of the Cupressaceae or cypress family. Juniperushorizontalis cultivar Monber was discovered as a sport of Juniperushorizontalis `Wiltonii` around the year 1978. This sport was propagatedas it exhibited a brilliant silvery blue color and later was observed toretain a dense crown. My new plant has been asexually reproduced bycuttings since the discovery at Bergman Nursery, 3607 North 12th,Quincy, Ill., 62301 and later at two locations of Monrovia NurseryCompany, 13455 S.E. Lafayette Hwy, Dayton, Ore. and 18331 E. FoothillBlvd. Azusa, Calif. This plant substantially differs from its parentvariety `Wiltonii` in its foliage coloration, its higher level ofnon-juvenile needles, its presentation and retention of foliage andbranches in the crown portion of the plant, and in its comparativelyoverall enhanced, more robust appearance. These characteristics set theclaimed plant apart from the parent `Wiltonii` and other varieties of J.horizontalis of which I am aware. Had the initial sport not beendiscovered and separated by me,, it might have been lost to mankind.Because this plant has not been observed to form berries, it is notapparent that the desired characteristics of this plant could beconveyed to progeny through sexual reproduction. However, the extensivetesting of this plant through both the rooting of cuttings and grafting,as disclosed above, has established that the novel, exceptionalcharacteristics of this plant are stable and reliably passed on toclonal specimens through asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Juniperus horizontalis cv. Monber is unusual for the winter color itdisplays. The silvery blue color becomes more distinct and with early orlate frost a luminous glow is visible. Neither the cultivars `Waukegan`nor `Wiltonii` exhibit this silvery blue foliage color.

Juvenile foliage which is needle-like in shape is practicallynonexistent on my new selection composing of approximately 1 percent ofthe total foliage. The `Wiltonii` selection does exhibit a slightlyhigher amount of juvenile foliage of approximately 5 percent of thetotal foliage.

Other than color the most obvious difference is growth habit of my newselection. My selection maintains a dense well foliated central crownmade up of branchlets which are shorter and thicker producing a densewell covered plant. In comparison, `Wiltonii` possesses longer andnarrower (rope-like) branchlets which do not cover densely and thereforeexhibits the bare central horizontal branching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The upper photograph is a foliage close up of cultivar Monber exhibitinga silvery blue color to the foliage.

The lower photograph displays the growth habit of my selection. Theshort branchlets provide a thick well covered prostrate shrub with nocenter dieback or bare branches.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Below is a detailed description of my new selection of Juniperushorizontalis cv Monber, the color terminology is from the BritishHorticultural Color Charts.

Overall size: Low spreading after 5 years 3-4" tall and 36" wide.

Achieving an ultimate size in 15 years of 4" tall by 8' spread.

Overall habit.--Evergreen conifer, a prostrate shrub, ground hugginghabit, maintaining a well foliated crown.

Flowers: apparently insignificant and inconspicuous as is characteristicof the species, not systematically observed; the gender of this planthas not been determined.

Fruit: no berries have been observed on this plant to date; this plantappears to be barren.

Foliage:

Juvenile.--Shape: needle-like, acicular. Size: 2-6 mm long; 1-2 mm wide.Arrangement: slightly spreading at a 45 degree angle. Glaucous bloom:present on new foliage. Color: With glaucous bloom: Sung Green 000658/2compared to Carnation Green 00058 for the parent `Wiltonii` Outer leafsurface: Spinach Green 0960/3 as compared to Lavender 000761 for theparent `Wiltonii`

Mature.--Shape: scale-like, subulate. Size: 1.5 mm-3 mm long; 1 m-2 mmwide at base. Arrangement: adhering closely to the stems. Glaucousbloom: prominent on new growth. Color: Lavender Green 000761/3 andSpinach Green 0960/3.

Texture.--Approximately 99% appears to be soft adult foliage.Approximately 1% appears to be sharp juvenile foliage. Sample used is a5 year plant.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct selection of Juniperus horizontalis plantas substantially shown and described herein, that is characterizedparticularly as a novelty by the unique combination of a brillantsilvery blue color and the ability to retain a dense crown that does notopen and become bare with age.